Electrical terminal apparatus



Oct. 11, 1966 v. G. MATTO 3,278,805

ELECTRICAL TERMINAL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1966 v. G. MATTO 3,278,805

ELECTRICAL TERMINAL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 4, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,278,805 ELECTRICAL TERMINAL APPARATUS Victor G. Matto, 54 Jeiferson Ave., Tenafly, NJ. Filed Jan. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 423,027 8 Claims. (Cl. 317-99) This invention relates to electrical terminal apparatus of the type which is adapted to receive cables and which carries a plurality of electrical circuit components.

Apparatus of the type contemplated by the present invention generally comprises an insulating plate which is supported by a metallic plate. The insulating plate usually carries an external socket or terminals of some type to which a plurality of electrical components, arranged in a circuit configuration, are connected. Some means is also provided for coupling external cables to the assembly. Apparatus of this type which is presently available commercially is generally not satisfactory because it has an undesirably large number of parts, is bulky, and is generally difiicult to handle.

Accordingly, the objects of the invention concern the provision of new and improved terminal apparatus for carrying external cables and electrical circuit elements.

Briefly, apparatus embodying the invention includes an insulating plate which is secured in simple fashon to a metallic supporting plate. The metal plate carries apertures which provide access to the insulating plate which carries, on one surface, sockets, terminals, or the like. A bracket of simple construction is also provided for holding external cables securely and for making contact to the various circuit elements carried by the external plate.

The invention is described in greater detail by reference to the drawing, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 together comprise an exploded view of a portion of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from one side of the appar-atus of FIGS. 1 and '2 assembled;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the other side of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 assembled;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of the invention.

Terminal apparatus 10 embodying the invention includes an insulating plate 14 of synthetic resinous material or the like which is generally rectangular in form and includes top and bottom surfaces 18 and 20, respectively, and two regions 22 and 24 on which electrical components are to be mounted. The plate 14 also includes at least four mounting and securing studs 26 located approximately at the four corners thereof. Each of the two aforementioned regions 22 and 24 of plate 14 may carry any type of electronic circuit components arranged as a circuit module. For example, one region 22 may carry a pair of connector tenrninals 30 which extend through the plate and between which resistors, or capacitors, or any other circuit elements 34 may be mounted adjacent to and above surface 18 of the plate. On the opposite surface 20, the terminals 30 may be coupled to the aforementioned circuit elements. To illustrate the versatility of the apparatus 10, the other region 24 of plate 14 may carry a different type of terminal or connector 40. It is to be understood that insulating plate 14 may carry any tpye of connectors, terminals, jacks, sockets, and components.

The insulating plate 14 carrying its selected components is adapted to be secured to a carrying plate 50, which is preferably of metal, to provide strength. The metal plate includes a top surface 52, a bottom surface 53, and a pair of apertures 54 and 58, in which the components or sockets or the like carried by the insulating plate 14 lie when the insulating plate I14 and metal plate 50 are secured together. The plate 50 also includes apertures 60 which are adapted to receive the studs 26 and to which the studs are adapted to be permanently secured by the application of heat and pressure.

The metal plate 50 carries a bracket 66 which is generally U-shaped and includes a relatively wide base portion 67 and two leg portions 68 and 70 which are generally parallel to each other. The leg 70 extends along the entire length of the bracket 66, but leg 68 is shorter than leg 70 and extends along perhaps three-fourths of the length of the bracket, but it does not extend to the ends of the bracket. The end portions adjacent to leg 68 is occupied by legs 72, by means of which the bracket 66 is secured to the top surface 52 of plate 50 by Welding or the like. The bracket 66 extends across the width of metal plate 50 between the apertures 54 and 58, and leg 68 is shaped so that it is spaced from surface 52 of plate 50 to permit components, leads, or the like to pass therebetween. The bracket 66 is oriented at a small angle to the vertical axis to permit easy access thereto, as will be described below. The bracket 66 carries two or more connectors 74 of any suitable form. The connectors are suitably secured in apertures provided in the base 67 of bracket 66. In the embodiment of the invention shown, the connectors 74 are of a type adapted to receive a cable, particularly a shielded cable 78 which includes, in order, a central conductor 80, an insulating sheath 82, a fine mesh shield 84, and an outer insulating sheath 86.

For this purpose, each connector 74 is generally cylindrical and includes an inner insulating cylinder 90 and an outer metal cylinder 94. The inner insulating cylinder 90 includes a bore in which it carries a terminal or post 98 which extends out of one end of the metal cylinder and is adapted to be secured, for example, to one of the electrical components carried by region 22 of the insulating plate 14. At its opposite end, the inner insulating cylinder is bored to receive the inner conductor 80 of shielded cable 78. The opposite end of the inner insulating cylinder does not extend to the open end of the outer metal cylinder 94 to thus provide a space to receive the insulating sheath 82 of cable 78. The end portion of the metal outer cylinder 94 which defines the open end of the connector 74 is enlarged in diameter and has a relatively large flat leading end 104 which is adapted to form firm contact with the mesh shield 84 of the cable 78 in a manner to be described.

To facilitate using the connectors, they are mounted on the bracket 66 so that they slope upwardly, with the open end and enlarged portion 100 facing upwardly and the end carrying terminal 98 facing downwardly. Thus, access to the terminals is facilitated and the insertion of cables 78 is accomplished with ease.

The apparatus of the invention also includes an auxiliary bracket or plate 108 which is adapted to mate with and be secured to the upstanding bracket 66 by means of a bolt 109 or any other suitable means. The plate 108 is about as long as bracket 66 and includes top and bottom lips 110 and 111 which are adapted to mate with legs 68 and 70 of bracket 66 to assist in holding plate 108 in place on bracket 66. The plate has inner and outer surfaces 114 and 118, respectively, and carries a pair of sleeves suitably secured thereto, each of Which is adapted to receive the shielded cable 78. According to the invention, a length of cable 78 near its end is inserted into each sleeve 120, and the sleeve is crimped to lock the cable in place. The cable is processed to expose the inner conductor 80 and the mesh shield 84 which is spread out so that a large surface area thereof bears against the inner surface 114 of the plate and sleeve 120. The central insulating sheath 82 and inner conductor 80 extend beyond the shield and plate 108. The plate 108 is adapted to be coupled to the bracket 66, with the central conductor 80 of cable 78 adapted to be inserted into connector 74 and to make contact with the inner terminal 98. With plate 108 and bracket 66 thus coupled, the enlarged end 100 of connector 74 bears against the mesh shield (FIG. 6) to provide good electrical contact therewith. The auxiliary bracket or plate 108 is securely locked in engagement with the bracket 66, with each cable 78 thus in secure contact with a connector 74. The entire assembly thus described may be inserted in any suitable terminal box.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, within the scope of the invention, many modifications may be made in the specific mechanical features described above.

The assembly of the invention has many advantages which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The simplicity of construction and ease of assembly are among the advantages. Another important advantage is that all electrical components are mounted on an insulating plate. Thus, maximum electrical safety is achieved since it would be extremely difiicult for a component to be grounded.

What is claimed is:

1. A terminal assembly comprising a metal plate having an aperture,

an insulating plate secured to said metal plate and accessible through said aperture,

electronic components mounted on said insulating plate and extending through said aperture in said metal plate,

a main bracket secured to said metal plate adjacent to said aperture,

said main bracket having a portion spaced above the surface of said metal plate,

a connector secured to said main bracket and electrically connected to one of said components,

an auxiliary bracket carrying an electrical device to be secured to said connector,

and means securing said auxiliary bracket to said main bracket with said electrical device in secure engagement with said connector.

2. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said metal plate includes a plurality of auxiliary locking apertures,

said insulating plate includes a plurality of projecting members which are secured in said locking apertures in said metal plate to secure said insulating plate to said metal plate,

said insulating plate also includes top and bottom surfaces,

said electronic components which are mounted on said insulating plate including portions which are accessible both from the bottom surface and from the top surface of said insulating plate.

3. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary bracket includes at least one aperture and a second connector mounted in said aperture, a shielded cable mounted in said connector and having the shield portion thereof spread out and contacting a portion of said second connector,

said second connector bringing said shield into contact with the connector carried by said main bracket when said auxiliary bracket is secured to said main bracket.

4. A terminal assembly comprising a metal plate having a pair of apertures,

an insulating plate secured to said metal plate and having two areas accessible through said pair of apertures,

electronic components mounted on said two areas and extending through said pair of apertures in said metal plate,

a main bracket secured to said metal plate between said pair of apertures,

said main bracket having a portion spaced above the surface of said metal plate,

a connector secured to said main bracket and electrically connected to a component mounted on one of said two areas,

an auxiliary bracket carrying an electrical device to be secured to said connector,

and means for securing said auxiliary bracket to said main bracket with said electrical device in secure engagement with said connector.

5. A terminal assembly comprising a metal plate having a pair of spaced-apart apertures,

an insulating plate secured to said metal plate and having two areas accessible through said pair of apertures,

electronic components mounted on said two areas and extending through said pair of apertures in said metal plate,

said insulating plate having top and bottom surfaces with at least one of said electronic components being accessible both from the top surface and from the bottom surface of said insulating plate,

a main bracket secured to said metal plate between said pair of apertures and extending across said metal plate,

said main bracket having a portion spaced above the surface of said metal plate to permit components to pass between said main bracket and the surface of said metal plate,

a first connector secured to said main bracket and electrically connected to a component mounted on one of said two areas, said first connector having a bore adapted to receive a cable,

an auxiliary bracket,

a second connector mounted on said auxiliary bracket and adapted to receive a cable, said second connector including a portion adapted to contact a portion of said first connector,

said cable including a central conductor and a surrounding shield insulated therefrom, said shield being in intimate contact with a portion of said second connector and a portion of said auxiliary bracket, and

means securing said auxiliary bracket to said main bracket with said central conductor of said cable inserted in said first connector and said shield held in secure engagement with said first connector by said second connector and said auxiliary bracket.

6. A terminal assembly comprising a metal plate having a pair of spaced-apart apertures,

an insulating plate secured to said metal plate and hav ing two areas accessible through said pair of apertures,

electronic components mounted on said two areas and extending through said pair of apertures in said metal plate,

said insulating plate having top and bottom surfaces with at least one of said electronic components being accessible both from the top surface and from the bottom surface of said insulating plate,

a main bracket secured to said metal plate between said pair of apertures,

said main bracket having a portion spaced above the surface of said metal. plate to permit components to pass between said main bracket and the surface of said metal plate,

a first tubular connector secured to said main bracket and electrically connected to a component mounted on one of said two areas, said first connector hav ing a bore adapted to receive a cable,

an auxiliary bracket,

a second tubular connector mounted on said auxiliary bracket and adapted to receive a cable, said second connector including a portion adapted to cQutact a portion of said first connector whereby said cable makes contact therewith,

said cable including a central conductor and a surrounding shield insulated therefrom, said shield being in intimate contact with a portion of sad second connector and a porton of said auxiliary bracket, and

means securing said auxiliary bracket to said main bracket with said central conductor of said cable inserted in said first connector and said shield held in secure engagement with said first connector by said second connector and said auxiliary bracket.

7. The terminal assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said main bracket is oriented at an angle to the vertical axis with its tubular first connector held at an angle whereby insertion of said second connector carried by said auxiliary bracket is facilitated.

8. A terminal assembly comprising a metal plate having a pair of apertures,

an insulating plate secured to said metal plate and having two areas accessible through said pair of apertures,

electronic components mounted on said two areas and extending through said pair of apertures in said metal plate,

said insulating plate having top and bottom surfaces with at least one of said electronic components being accessible both from the top surface and from the bottom surface of said insulating plate,

a main bracket secured to said metal plate between said pair of apertures and extending across said metal plate,

said main bracket having a portion spaced above the surface of said metal plate to permit components to pass between said main bracket and the surface of said metal plate,

said main bracket also being oriented at an angle to a plane perpendicular to the surface of said metal plate,

a first connector secured to said main bracket, said connector including a bore which faces up due to the orientation of the main bracket and a lead portion which is electrically connected to a component mounted on one of said two areas, said bore being adapted to receive a cable,

an auxiliary bracket,

a second tubular connector mounted on said auxiliary bracket with a cable inserted therein and secured thereto,

said cable including a central conductor and a surrounding shield insulated therefrom, said shield being in intimate contact with a portion of said second connector and a porton of said auxiliary bracket, and

means securing said auxiliary bracket to said main bracket with said central conductor of said cable inserted in the bore of said first connector in contact with the lead portion thereof and said shield held in secure engagement with said first connector by said second connector and said auxiliary bracket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,431,999 12/1947 Engelhardt 3l799 2,798,113 7/1957 Koller et a1. 339-l4 3,083,349 3/1963 Blonder 33914 X ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

35 M. GINSBURG, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A TERMINAL ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A METAL PLATE HAVING AN APERTURE, AN INSULATING PLATE SECURED TO SAID METAL PLATE AND ACCESSIBLE THROUGH SAID APERTURE, ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS MOUNTED ON SAID INSULATING PLATE AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID APERTURE IN SAID METAL PLATE, A MAIN BRACKET SECURED TO SAID METAL PLATE ADJACENT TO SAID APERTURE, SAID MAIN BRACKET HAVING A PORTION SPACED ABOVE THE SURFACE OF SAID METAL PLATE, A CONNECTOR SECURED TO SAID MAIN BRACKET AND ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID COMPONENTS, AN AUXILIARY BRACKET CARRYING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE TO BE SECURED TO SAID CONNECTOR, AND MEANS SECURING SAID AUXILIARY BRACKET TO SAID MAIN BRACKET WITH SAID ELECTRICAL DEVICE IN SECURE ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CONNECTOR. 